"I'll overpay in July, but not in the off-season. Why? Who knows if we're going to have two starters or Gary Carter go down with injury."
-- John McHale, Montreal Expos president, 1980.
The prospect of trading Roy Halladay is "unlikely, since no one has stepped forward," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told reporters before the Jays faced the Cleveland Indians last night.
Despite the unlikelihood of a deal, Ricciardi has set a July 28th deadline to make a deal.
"He has to OK a deal, we have to agree on prospects and you can't do that in one hour," Ricciardi said. "We said all along we'd have to be overwhelmed, we have not been overwhelmed."
Ricciardi admitted Halladay will fetch more in the next nine days than in the off-season.
"History tells you if you have a guy for a season-and-a third, it's better than one season," Ricciardi said.
Halladay does not pitch again until Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, but scouts are in town to see Indians lefty Cliff Lee as well.
- Scouts Vance Lovelace and Logan White of the Los Angeles Dodgers were observing. The Dodgers could afford to move a starter from their rotation in return for Halladay, such as lefty Eric Stults (4-2, 4.80) or James McDonald (2-1, 4.99). Lefty Clayton Kershaw is off the market.
Jays scout Steve Springer has been from class-A Great Lakes to triple-A Albuquerque watching prospects in the L.A. system like shortstop Tony Abreu, third baseman Joshua Bell, shortstop Devrais Gordon and right-hander Ethan Martin.
- Charlie Kerfeld and Howie Freiling, Philadelphia Phillies scouts, were here last night. Former Phils GM Pat Gillick saw Halladay pitch Sunday. Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava has been watching the Phillies triple-A affiliate at LeHigh Valley.
- Dick (The Legend) Groch, of the Milwaukee Brewers is present as he was following the Indians before the Brewers added CC Sabathia at the deadline a year ago. Assistant GM Gord Ash was in town Friday.
- Scout Gus Quattlebaum of the Boston Red Sox checked in from the coast. Boston recalled Clay Buchholz for a showcase start Friday. He pitched 52/3 innings Friday and was returned to triple-A Pawtucket.
"And," said one scout, "don't be surprised if Tampa Bay gets involved in this."
Jays scout Sal Butera has been looking at the Cincinnati Reds minor-leaguers. The Reds have interest in third baseman Scott Rolen.
Halladay is trying to treat this as another work day.
"I've heard from Mark Connor and Gil Patterson (former pitching coaches) asking 'if anything was going on?" Halladay said with a smile. "I heard from Chris Carpenter. He gave me sales pitch on St. Louis ... like I always give him mine to come back here. But I know that is not happening."
Halladay said Sunday's outing did not feel like his final start in a Jays uniform.
"It's still early," said Halladay, who didn't want to know what teams had shown the most interest. "I'm trying to stay out of it."
Pat Hentgen, one of three Jays to win the Cy Young award, watched Halladay leave the mound on Sunday.
"Jimmy Key gave an extra tip of the cap after Game 4 of the 1992 World Series," Hentgen said. "Same for me my last start here in 1999 against the Indians. My final start for the Jays was in Cleveland. I won 7-3, came up the tunnel and Jim Fregosi gave me the lineup card.
"David Wells said: 'You're gone.' I'd never been given a lineup card."
Hentgen had been rumoured to be dealt at the 1998 deadline and again in 1999.
"Gord Ash told me you are going to read stuff, don't believe anything," Hentgen said. "I'll let you know and Gord to his credit did that."
Halladay's dream scenario to the end of this season?
"Winning a World Series," Halladay said. "Here."
